Sherilyn Fritz, associate professor of geosciences, and Pedro Tapia, a doctoral candidate in geosciences, played key roles in the discovery that the South American tropics were wet during the last ice age - not dry as had been thought previously. Studying fossil diatoms (single-celled algae) in sediment cores pulled from Lake Titicaca and the salt flat Salar de Uyuni in the central Andes, Tapia made the key finding that proved the area was wet during the most-recent ice age. The findings were published in the Jan. 26 issue of the journal Science.

It's Not the Heat, It's the Humidity

Scientists Debunk Idea That Ice Age Tropics Were Dry

By Tom Simons, Public Relations

Scientists have long hypothesized that the climate of the Amazon basin in South America was dry during the last ice age.

If that were true for all ice ages, it would have caused the tropical rain forest to contract into isolated patches, thereby isolating populations of plant and animal species. Over long periods of time, that would have allowed those isolated populations to become separate species, distinct from populations in other patches. Eventually, the process would have created the vast biological diversity found in today's tropics.

The hypothesis of a dry ice-age Amazon, however, has been challenged by data published in the Jan. 26 issue of the journal Science.

Over the last five years, a team led by geoscientists Sherilyn Fritz of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Paul Baker of Duke University and Geoffrey Seltzer of Syracuse University, drilled a suite of sediment cores at Lake Titicaca and Salar de Uyuni in the Altiplano of Peru and Bolivia. Titicaca, straddling the border separating the two countries, is the world's highest large lake at 12,500 feet in elevation and 3,200 square miles in area. The 4,000-square-mile Salar de Uyuni, located 225 miles south of Lake Titicaca and about 500 feet lower, is the world's largest salt flat.

UNL doctoral candidate Pedro Tapia examined the cores for fossil diatoms (single-celled algae) and made what Fritz termed the central element of the study published in Science. Tapia, a native of Peru, found that the relative abundance of saline-tolerant and freshwater diatoms varied greatly over time - the saline-tolerant diatoms flourished when the water level was too low for the lake to drain, and the freshwater diatoms flourished when the lake was overflowing with freshwater.

Tapia's key finding was that there were lots of freshwater diatoms in both Titicaca and the ancient lake that is now Salar de Uyuni during the last glacial maximum (about 21,000 years ago).

"During the last glacial period, both of these sites were clearly very wet," said Fritz, an associate professor of geosciences. "Our working hypothesis is that because these lakes are wet and high, and because they derive their moisture from the Amazon basin, then the Amazon basin must be, by inference, wet.

"We were somewhat surprised to find that, and we were also surprised at the magnitude of how much Lake Titicaca changed in size and depth during climate cycles."

Fritz said the cores from Titicaca cover the last 25,000 years and reveal alternating cycles of wetness and aridity, including a dry cycle from about 8,000 to about 4,000 years ago in which the lake's level fell by more than 300 feet (compared to its maximum depth of about 935 feet). Conversely, a core from Salar de Uyuni indicates that 20,000 years ago there was a lake more than 150 feet deep in an area that's now one of the driest in the world.

"That this big lake system has changed so radically in a fairly recent period of time, geologically speaking, is really remarkable, and what people are tying to figure out is what triggers these changes," Fritz said.

Some of the theories, Fritz said, have to do with changes in the intensity and frequency of El Nino activity in the Pacific Ocean; changes in solar radiation levels; changes in the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by wetlands; and the expansion and contraction of continental ice sheets in the northern hemisphere.

"A lot of the questions that are out there deal with what is the interaction of all these multiple influences on the earth's climate system," Fritz said. "There's a lot that we know, but we don't know how all these complex things really interacted."

The UNL geoscientist said the findings published in Science this week supply another piece of that puzzle and give scientists another clue in interpreting changes in today's climate. Baker, Seltzer and Fritz hope to add more to that knowledge in a two-month trip to the Lake Titicaca area in April and May when they will be the first to use new drilling technology developed by the International Continental Drilling Program specifically for use in large continental lakes.

Top Math Student Hails from Nebraska

By Mary Jane Bruce, Public Relations

Jaclyn Kohles Anderson is as comfortable with Fermat's Last Theorem as she is balancing her checkbook. The challenge posed by a 17th century math problem that confounded experts until recent years is exactly what fascinates Anderson, who graduated in mathematics and statistics from the University of Nebraska ­ Lincoln in December.

Anderson's aptitude in math received national recognition when she was named the nation's top woman undergraduate in mathematics by the Association for Women in Mathematics. Anderson accepted the Alice T. Schafer Prize at a meeting in New Orleans in January.

"The award is a wonderful honor," said Anderson "The UNL math program has supported me from day one. UNL has a good selection of difficult classes and I was able to do research as an undergraduate." Anderson said. Jim Lewis, chair of the UNL Department of Mathematics and Statistics, encourages and supports women in mathematics. In 1998, the department received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. The award was based on the outstanding success in mentoring female graduate students in the 1990s.

Gordon Woodward, associate professor of mathematics and statistics, said Anderson is a role model for other students.

"Jaclyn sees alternative solutions that others don't see. She really is a star for UNL, " Woodward said.

Anderson enjoys the problem-solving challenge and precision of math. A 1997 graduate of Omaha's Ralston High School, Anderson thought briefly about engineering as a career, but stayed with her first love, mathematics, throughout high school. She attended UNL-sponsored Math Day four times and came in first in the statewide competition her senior year of high school.

As a Regents Scholar at UNL, Anderson did undergraduate research in the area of integer programming. She said the opportunity to do research as an undergrad is important because it provides valuable experience outside the regular classroom.

Anderson also applied to and attended intense summer mathematics programs in the United States and abroad, including the Mathematics Advanced Studies Semester at Penn State and the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics program.

Anderson has started graduate school at UNL and is a teaching assistant. She also is helping to organize the Nebraska Conference for Undergraduate Women in Math, a national event Feb. 2-4 that draws students and prominent mathematicians from across the country.

Anderson is the daughter of Joe and Janet Kohles of Ralston.

3 to Interview for VC Research Post

By Tom Simons, Public Relations

Three candidates for the position of vice chancellor for research will have on-campus interviews this month.

Brooks A. Keel, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and associate dean for research at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita; Prem S. Paul, associate vice provost for research at Iowa State University in Ames; and Sheldon Marc Schuster, director of the Biotechnology Program at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Paul is scheduled to visit campus Feb. 6-8, Keel Feb. 11-13, and Schuster Feb. 14-16.

Keel has been on the faculty at the KU School of Medicine in Wichita since 1985 and has served as its associate dean for research since 1991. He is also professor of pediatrics and president and chief executive officer of the Women's Research Institute at the school while serving as adjunct professor of biological sciences at Wichita State University and president and clinical laboratory director of Reproductive Medicine Laboratories and Diagnostic Laboratory Services. Keel earned a bachelor of science degree in biology and chemistry at Augusta (Ga.) College (1978) and a Ph.D. in reproductive endocrinology at the Medical College of Georgia (1982). Before going to Wichita, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston and a research associate in physiology and pharmacology at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine in Vermillion. He is the author or co-author of more than 60 peer-reviewed papers, 17 book chapters, and scores of scholarly publications and presentations.

Paul, a professor of veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine at Iowa State, has been at ISU since 1985 and has been associate vice provost for research since Jan. 1, 2000. He earned a doctor of veterinary medicine degree at the College of Veterinary Sciences at Panjab Agricultural University in India (1969) and a Ph.D. in veterinary microbiology (virology) at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (1975), then served as a research associate for three years in the department of large animal clinical sciences at UMTC. From 1978 to 1985, he was veterinary medical officer for reproductive diseases of swine at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa. He is the author or co-author of more than 90 refereed publications, and 12 books, book chapters and review articles, among other publications, and has developed six patented or licensed technologies.

Schuster has been professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at Florida since 1989 and director of the Biotechnol-ogy Program since 1992. He began his academic career with a 12-year stint at UNL, where he was an assistant professor of chemistry and life sciences (1976-81), and associate professor (1981-85) and professor (1985-88) of chemistry and biological sciences. While at UNL, he was a National Institutes of Health Research Career Development awardee and served concurrent years (1986-88) as director of the university's Gene Synthesis and Peptide Synthesis facilities. Before going to Florida, he served as a visiting professor in the department of biological sciences at Stanford University in the fall of 1988. Schuster earned his bachelor of science degree in biochemistry at the University of California at Davis (1970) and his Ph.D. in biochemistry at the University of Arizona in Tucson (1974), then served two years as a postdoctoral research fellow of the NIH at the University of Wisconsin's Institute for Enzyme Research. As a scholar, he has authored or co-authored nearly 140 papers and11 patents, in addition to many other publications and presentations.

UNL seeks a replacement for Marsha Torr, who left in August to accept at similar position at Virginia Commonwealth University. Donald Helmuth, associate vice chancellor for research, is the interim vice chancellor.

Lotus Notes Migration Continues

Coordinator Discusses High Notes of Lo-Notes

By Diane Taurins, Public Relations

John Hall, project coordinator for the Lotus Notes Project, presented information on the current status of Lotus Notes and the future direction of the project to a group of about 60 on Jan. 25 in the Nebraska Union.

Hall said that the universitywide deployment numbers stand at approximately 47,820. They include: University of Nebraska Central Administration with 204; UNK with 11,584 students and 820 faculty/staff; UNMC with 3,005 students and 3,647 faculty/staff; UNO with 21,085 students and 2,276 faculty/staff, and UNL with 5,199 faculty/staff. The UNL student deployment is under way with approximately 25,000 users.

The Lotus Notes Project Team estimates that 60 percent to 65 percent of UNL faculty/staff have migrated to Notes. Those that remain on UNLSERVE for primary e-mail, rather than statistical purposes, will be required to migrate in the future.

Central Administration is working on integrating Lotus Notes with the SAP system. Implementing the GroupWare features of LotusNotes, including forms such as Travel Authorization forms and Expense Vouchers, has been one of the projects for the Universitywide LotusNotes Application Development Team.

The future of Lotus Notes includes iNotes, a next-generation Web client that delivers leading Domino messaging, collaboration and Personal Information Management capabilities to Web browsers. Browser users will be able to take full advantage of Domino services through an ultra-intuitive, easy-to-use interface. iNotes Web Access will let browser users see who is on-line and send instant messages and provide chat capabilities.

A good source for keeping up with these and other Lotus Notes developments is the Lotus Support Management Council. The council was formed to gain involvement from the UNL user community and feedback into the decision-making process. The committee is comprised of active members and a mailing list. Active members participate in bi-weekly meetings, events and discussions. The mailing list members will receive all information that goes to the council and will have the same input opportunities. Mailing list members will also have access to the LSMC teamroom and document library, and have the ability to participate in the collaborative discussions.

More information on the Council is available at http:// unlisnotes.unl.edu/Notes/Notes_Team/notes_team.html.

Information Services is also providing end user training to all, at no cost. The schedule for new users is:

• Feb. 6, 1 to 3 p.m.
• Feb. 8, 9 a.m. to noon
• Feb. 15, 9 a.m. to noon
• Feb. 21, 1 to 3 p.m.
• Feb. 22, 9 a.m. to noon
• March 1, 9 a.m. to noon
• March 6, 1 to 3 p.m.
• March 8, 9 a.m. to noon
• March 15, 9 a.m. to noon
• March 21, 1 to 3 p.m.
• March 22, 9 a.m. to noon
• March 29, 9 a.m. to noon
• April 3, 1 to 3 p.m.
• April 5, 9 a.m. to noon
• April 12, 9 a.m. to noon8
• April 18, 1 to 3 p.m.
• April 19, 9 a.m. to noon
• April 26, 9 a.m. to noon

The schedule for existing users:

• Feb. 8, 1 to 3 p.m.
• Feb. 14, 9 a.m. to noon
• Feb. 15, 1 to 3 p.m.
• Feb. 22, 1 to 3 p.m.
• Feb. 27, 9 a.m. to noon
• March 1, 1 to 3 p.m.
• March 8, 1 to 3 p.m.
• March 13, 9 a.m. to noon
• March 15, 1 to 3 p.m.
• March 22, 1 to 3 p.m.
• March 28, 9 a.m. to noon
• March 29, 1 to 3 p.m.
• April 5, 1 to 3 p.m.
• April 11, 9 a.m. to noon
• April 12,1 to 3 p.m.
• April 19, 1 to 3 p.m.
• April 24, 9 a.m. to noon
• April 26, 1 to 3 p.m.

Users can sign up on the Web at http://unli snotes.unl.edu/Notes/Training/Training.html. All classes are held at 1941 Y St. The class will not be held with less than five participants.

More information on the Lotus Notes project is located at http://www.unl.edu/Notes/ and at http://unlisnotes.unl.edu. This includes a frequently asked questions section, a quick start guide, a step-by-step guide and installation instructions.

Black History Month Celebrated at UNL

By Tom Simons, Public Relations

A national academic conference, a film festival and a special Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery showing of quilts from the Robert and Helen Cargo Collection are among the highlights of Black History Month events scheduled at UNL in February and early March.

Other events include a Feb. 5 networking workshop and a students of color recruitment reception on Feb. 13, both sponsored by the UNL Career Services Office; and a series of "brown-bag" lunch speakers Feb. 12-16 titled "Black Love Week" and sponsored by the UNL Office of Multi-cultural Affairs. All events are free and open to the public, except the academic conference, which has registration and meal fees.

The conference, "Bridging the African Diaspora in the New Millennium," will gather scholars from across the United States and a variety of academic disciplines Feb. 23-24 for panel discussions, lectures and presentations at the Nebraska Union. For registration and conference information, visit the World Wide Web http://www.unl. edu/unlies/symposium/symposium.html or telephone the UNL African American and African Studies program, (402) 472-2099.

The schedule of events for UNL's Black History Month events follows. Events are in the Nebraska Union, 1400 R St., unless otherwise noted.

Feb. 1 - Film shorts, "Africa: A Voyage of Discovery with Basil Davidson" and "Kings and Cities," 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 3 - Film, "Sankofa," 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 4 - Cargo Collection mini-tour and reception, performance by "2-G" step dance group, 3-4:30 p.m., Sheldon Gallery, 12th and R streets.

Feb. 5 - Career Networking Workshop, 5:30-7 p.m., Culture Center, 333 N. 14th St.

Feb. 6 - Film, "Thomas Jefferson: A View from the Mountain," 7 p.m.

Feb. 8 - Film, "The American Experience. Roots of Resistance: A Story of the Underground Railroad," 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 10 - Film, "Frederick Douglass: When the Lion Wrote History," 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 11 - Cargo Collection mini-tour and reception, performance by ""Images" vocal group, 3-4:30 p.m., Sheldon Gallery.

Feb. 12 - "Black Love Week" brown-bag lunch, noon.

Feb. 13 - "Black Love Week" brown-bag lunch, noon; Students of Color Recruiter Reception, 5-7 p.m. (follows the Career Kaleidoscope spring fair, noon-5 p.m.), Film, "The American Experience. Ida B. Wells: A Passion for Justice," 7 p.m.

Feb. 14 - "Black Love Week" brown-bag lunch, noon.

Feb. 15 - "Black Love Week" brown-bag lunch, noon; Film, "The Promised Land: Take Me to Chicago," 3:30 p.m..

Feb. 16 -"Black Love Week" brown-bag lunch, noon.

Feb. 17 - Film, "The Promised Land: A Dream Deferred," 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 18 - Cargo Collection mini-tour and reception, performance by "One Voice" vocal group, 3-4:30 p.m., Sheldon Gallery.

Feb. 20 - Film, "The Promised Land: Strong Men Keep A-comin' On," 7 p.m..

Feb. 23 - Conference, "Bridging the African Diaspora," all day; Cargo Collection, Byron and Sara Dillow Lecture Series with quilter and storyteller Yvonne Wells and collector Robert Cargo, 3:30-5 p.m., Sheldon Gallery.

Feb. 24 - Conference, "Bridging the African Diaspora," all day; Cargo Collection, family story hour with Yvonne Wells, family quilt workshop, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Sheldon Gallery.

Feb. 25 - Cargo Collection mini-tour and reception, jazz trumpet performance by UNL assistant professor Darryl White, 3-4:30 p.m., Sheldon Gallery.

Feb. 27 - Films, "The American Experience. That Rhythm, Those Blues" and "Black Shadows on a Silver Screen," 7 p.m.

March 3 - Cargo Collection, lecture by quilt historian Maude Wahlman, 10:30 a.m., Sheldon Gallery.